LBC reporter checking on train drivers

[Tomnick]

Happily it came to nothing this time, but what would the reaction have been if the reporter had 'ovserced' a driver using the GSM-R, cab-to-cab or PA? Either way, it's certainly not illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving a train here, and I don't think (although my driving colleagues might wish to correct me) the Rule Book forbids it either.

 

[1e10]

I don't think there should be windows for passengers to be able to observe the driver. Imagine the amount of kids and other passengers who would be tempted to bang on the window and yell questions such as 'what does that button do' or something similar.

Leave drivers to do their job in piece without any added pressures or distractions

 

[sarahj]

If you travel on the ICE3's in Germany there is a glass partition between passengers and cab and you get a great view out the cab window. The driver can, at any time, switch the glass to opaque/matt. He did this when crossing from Germany to the Netherlands, which involves, at speed, dropping the panto, switching voltages, lifiting the panto.

On the main subject, I was gonna mention something, but not going to, but it was a while back, and that crash in the US a few years back made it a total no no for any driver seen to be, even holding a mobile phone. Even as conductors, we can get it, if we are seen to be using one during dispatch.

 

[Muzer]

Yup - quite a few of the trains in Germany have windows to the driver. It's rather nice, though I'm sure the drivers appreciate it less.

 

[Matt Taylor]

ICE stock in Frankfurt with cab view:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/7288497150/in/set-72157630583878684

 

[dk1]

I like to see the look on waiting passengers faces as i pull into the platform making the PA announcement .

 

[causton]

I like to see the look on waiting passengers faces as i pull into the platform making the PA announcement .

How long before a guard gets a picture taken of them checking their work BlackBerry for service information in the back cab?

 

[dk1]

How long before a guard gets a picture taken of them checking their work BlackBerry for service information in the back cab?

The usual press hysteria. Will be all forgotten by Friday.

 

[gingerheid]

Is being a train driver still a respected job?

Respected... maybe, but that's irrelevant. Nobody is trusted any more, and everyone is subject to increased levels of scrutiny.

I think life is better for the levels of scrutiny that mean people who previously believed they were untouchable and beyond questioning (in the last few days we have read about strip-searching male police being caught on CCTV, child abusing priests & of course thieving MPs) now being open to more scrutiny then they could have believed was possible only a few years ago.

In relation to the matter in hand, I'm glad they got their binoculars out and reassured they didn't find anything. Maybe we should trust train drivers

 

[richw]

The reporter should perhaps consider standing on a motorway flyer and count the number of professional drivers on the mobile phone. I think this may show shocking figures.

 

[Antman]

The reporter should perhaps consider standing on a motorway flyer and count the number of professional drivers on the mobile phone. I think this may show shocking figures.

I doubt it, drivers on phones have dropped considerably since harsher penalties were introduced.

 

[90019]

I doubt it, drivers on phones have dropped considerably since harsher penalties were introduced.

I still see plenty of people driving while using their phones, including professional drivers.

 

[causton]

I doubt it, drivers on phones have dropped considerably since harsher penalties were introduced.

Depends where you are then! I could probably stand on a roundabout nearby and find one within about 1 or at a push 2 minutes (it's a busy roundabout so not as exaggerated as that sounds!)

 

[Tomnick]

There are still plenty of motorists using mobile phones whilst driving though. I'd much rather see a train driver using his phone whilst pootling along under green signals than an HGV driver trying to negotiate cramped roads in a busy town whilst doing the same...!

 

[Antman]

Respected... maybe, but that's irrelevant. Nobody is trusted any more, and everyone is subject to increased levels of scrutiny.

I think life is better for the levels of scrutiny that mean people who previously believed they were untouchable and beyond questioning (in the last few days we have read about strip-searching male police being caught on CCTV, child abusing priests & of course thieving MPs) now being open to more scrutiny then they could have believed was possible only a few years ago.

In relation to the matter in hand, I'm glad they got their binoculars out and reassured they didn't find anything. Maybe we should trust train drivers

Exactly, LBC have shown train drivers to be very professional.

I don't think many jobs are respected nowadays, a relative of mine is a copper and some of the abuse he gets is appalling

 

[transmanche]

I don't think many jobs are respected nowadays, a relative of mine is a copper and some of the abuse he gets is appalling

And teachers, doctors, paramedics, nurses and firefighters - all people who used to be respected... but now seemingly have to put up with a lot of abuse.

Just today it was revealed that London Ambulance has a list of 226 addresses that they won't visit without requesting police assistance, following ealier violence, threats or abuse.

 

[142094]

There are still plenty of motorists using mobile phones whilst driving though. I'd much rather see a train driver using his phone whilst pootling along under green signals than an HGV driver trying to negotiate cramped roads in a busy town whilst doing the same...!

Seconded, people always forget that the railways are much safer than the roads, but any excuse to bash the railways and create 'headlines'. Bit like when the Metro freepaper has stories (usually negative) about the industry, yet forgets that a good proportion of their distribution is done at stations.

 

[richw]

I doubt it, drivers on phones have dropped considerably since harsher penalties were introduced.

I disagree, I'd say 20% of vehicles I pass walking to the station from home on days I need the train, have their driver on a phone. Tradesman and couriers are probably the worst.

 

[Antman]

There are still plenty of motorists using mobile phones whilst driving though. I'd much rather see a train driver using his phone whilst pootling along under green signals than an HGV driver trying to negotiate cramped roads in a busy town whilst doing the same...!

It may vary between areas but its certainly been almost stamped out in Kent, anyway we're veering off topic
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I disagree, I'd say 20% of vehicles I pass walking to the station from home on days I need the train, have their driver on a phone. Tradesman and couriers are probably the worst.

20%? You must live in a very lawless area

 

[richw]

20%? You must live in a very lawless area

Cornwall, We have a very low crime rate, probably because such driving offences get ignored.

 

[A-driver]

Obviously phone usage on a moving train is forbidden and the union refuse to back anyone disciplined for doing so but my toc encourage us to use phones during disruption etc when the train is at a stand. We even have a phone line we can use to get info about delays etc.

So a journalist or the public could quite easily see me at the controls of my train at a red signal outside a station using my mobile and quite legitimately.

I do wonder if nick Ferrari or whoever the presenter was will tell their listeners how professional uk drivers are in the mobile phone respect...or if it will just not be followed up...

 

[Antman]

Obviously phone usage on a moving train is forbidden and the union refuse to back anyone disciplined for doing so but my toc encourage us to use phones during disruption etc when the train is at a stand. We even have a phone line we can use to get info about delays etc.

So a journalist or the public could quite easily see me at the controls of my train at a red signal outside a station using my mobile and quite legitimately.

I do wonder if nick Ferrari or whoever the presenter was will tell their listeners how professional uk drivers are in the mobile phone respect...or if it will just not be followed up...

Nick Ferrari did indeed say that so train drivers take a bow
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And teachers, doctors, paramedics, nurses and firefighters - all people who used to be respected... but now seemingly have to put up with a lot of abuse.

Just today it was revealed that London Ambulance has a list of 226 addresses that they won't visit without requesting police assistance, following ealier violence, threats or abuse.

Doesn't suprise me, sign of the times I'm afraid

 

[A-driver]

Nick Ferrari did indeed say that so train drivers take a bow
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Excellent-he'll be stating that he thinks we are underpaid for the complexity of our job and hours we have to work next...

 

[The Barlow Boy]

I doubt it, drivers on phones have dropped considerably since harsher penalties were introduced.

Really? Not in my neck of the woods they haven't.

 

[badassunicorn]

Driving round east london where I live every day, I'd say almost one in 7 or so drivers are on the phone/texting

 

[DD]

And teachers, doctors, paramedics, nurses and firefighters - all people who used to be respected... but now seemingly have to put up with a lot of abuse.

Just today it was revealed that London Ambulance has a list of 226 addresses that they won't visit without requesting police assistance, following ealier violence, threats or abuse.

My best friend is a fireman, and when they had just finished putting out a fire and about to leave a load of kids started throwing rocks at them and the fire engines.

 

[dk1]

Funnily enough I see very few people driving on the phone in Norwich. Went too old Yarmouth for the first time in ages & was shocked by the amount of drivers on the phone in this chavvy awful place. Seems to be acceptable there.

 

[A-driver]

My best friend is a fireman, and when they had just finished putting out a fire and about to leave a load of kids started throwing rocks at them and the fire engines.

Sadly, nowadays should the firemen decide that the best course of action would be to either turn the hose on them or catch them and give them a good old fashioned kicking (I support both courses of action by the way) they would be in a lot of trouble. As it is, should the kids be caught (unlikely as that is) it would be a case of a stern talking to and let them go free to do exactly the same again!

 

[Bevan Price]

I don't think there should be windows for passengers to be able to observe the driver. Imagine the amount of kids and other passengers who would be tempted to bang on the window and yell questions such as 'what does that button do' or something similar.

Leave drivers to do their job in piece without any added pressures or distractions

Drivers managed for 30+ years being watched by passengers in first generation dmus, almost all of which had windows between the passenger compartment and the cab. I never saw any problems on any of my thousands of journeys on those dmus. If they cannot concentrate 100% on their driving whilst being watched, I wonder if maybe some of them are in the wrong job.

 

[notadriver]

Drivers managed for 30+ years being watched by passengers in first generation dmus, almost all of which had windows between the passenger compartment and the cab. I never saw any problems on any of my thousands of journeys on those dmus. If they cannot concentrate 100% on their driving whilst being watched, I wonder if maybe some of them are in the wrong job.

They don't want to be watched which is why many of those DMUs had their blinds down. The label on the door says 'Private' for a reason.